Stefi, M.

My college friend Stefi graduated with her Masters degree yesterday and I was able to watch her walk across the stage and move her tassel over to the right...here are some fun pictures!!!
Video of Stefi walking...


One of our first college roommates...Amanda graduated with her bachelors!!!

After grad we went to Olive Garden to celebrate...we had a great lunch, thanks to BJ. Then stayed for dessert and coffee...good times!!

Christmas Cookies...

So, this happened a couple weeks ago but I haven't had a chance to post the pictures. I kept my nieces and we decorated Christmas cookies galore...there really aren't words to describe our fun...so check out the picts!

Sahara's green tongue

Tirza just wanted to eat the

frosting...understandable...


Bria's pretty cookies...

"Yay! My Poon!"

Serious business.
Sahara didn't understand how the

frosting got in her hair...

What's up...

Hi there friends. I am spending a few days in Paducah loving on the Brady boys...there are three now. Isaac was born three weeks ago today! :) Here are some pictures of the boys! (The one up top is William cheesing in his top hat.)

This one is William being a present...

Here is Jack waiting for his pop tart... (William is in the background dressed up like a duck.)

Isaac...

Me and Isaac... (this is how I would spend every day of my life if I could choose)

...(and nights)...this one is one of Isaac in the middle of the night. He was done sleeping for a while so we had a photo shoot of him wide awake...

My nieces...and Anna

This morning Sahara had a piano recital. She did such a good job, we all were proud of her 30 second debut. Before she played there were a bunch of other kids who sang and some who played the piano, while I waited for Sahara's turn I was thinking. As I sat there, Bria my five year old niece was on my lap wiggling and doing her best to contain her boredom. I could feel her heart beating and she was breathing...and at times yawning loudly and all I could think of was Anna. Her aunt doesn't get to sit through a long recital with her on her lap anymore. I am so blessed, my family is so blessed, we have healthy, warm, breathing children to hold and kiss goodnight. I can't even begin to imagine the ache that must be settled in the hearts of everyone of Anna's family. Let's not forget to continue to pray for her family as they begin a year of newness without her there with them. As they celebrate Christmas, watch spring come, then summer, her birthday, mealtimes, bedtimes and miss her.

This evening I am sitting in the living room with my three nieces. We are watching Mulan...and the cute dog who is sleeping. A few minutes ago Sahara said,
"Heidi, did you hear that Anna died?".
I said yes and that I had gone to her memorial.
She said, "ya I knew that. I am sad that she died. She was only five."
Here is where Bria pipped in..."But she has a new body now, so she is, she feels better even." Sahara's response, "woh, really?! A whole new body!"
Bria, "Ya, everybody gets one when they die and go to heaven! Heidi, did they bury her yet?" Me, "yes, they buried her before the memorial on Thursday morning."
Both of the girls..."oh".
Sahara, "So, when they buried her, they put her in a box right?"
Me, "yes."
Sahara, "Her whole body? Like her head too?"
Me, "Yes her whole body."
Bria, "But that is her old body though...not her new heaven one."
Sahara, "ooooh! well, even though she is really happy in heaven. It is still sad to me that she is died."
Bria, "ya me too."
Me, "me too."

In memory...

I just got back into Jackson from my trip to OKC, OK for Anna's memorial. There aren't really words to begin to explain what it is like to experience what I have over the last few days. On the drive there I thought a lot about words that I could share of comfort, of hope, just something. I didn't want to fumble over my words when I got there...so I spent most of the 8 1/2 hour drive thinking on what I could say. At the end of it, I came up with nothing. What can you say to a grieving family who just lost their five year old? Do words really exist that would be worth saying to a mother who just lost her baby? No, there really aren't. When I got there I found that it didn't matter. After spending some time with Anna's family, I realized why I was there. To listen and to just be there...it didn't matter what I said or didn't say. Anna's grandmother told me about Anna, showed me pictures, told me more stories about Anna. It was a sweet sweet time. It was good to be able to hear about Anna's life, about funny things she said; to share in the wonderful memories of her life.

There was more of this Thursday morning at her celebration service. A couple of people shared about Anna and how they were effected by her. One of the ladies shared great stories about Anna. At the end of the service they played a video of Anna singing in front of the church then another video of Anna singing and dancing to Bullfrogs and Butterflies...and as she flapped her arms out like a butterfly I read the front of the program that said, "Fly to Jesus...and live." Anna did fly to Jesus and she is alive. And like her daddy said during the service, speaking on how she must be so happy and being able to have fun, doing things that her earthly body could never do..."even if she had a choice, she wouldn't come back here."

"You are our Lord.

We never forget you.

We honor family and friends.

Bless our food.

Bless our spaghetti

When it is time to go to heaven,

we will be ready.

You are our God."

(said by Anna July, 2007)

Anna.

Sunday, November 25, 2007 2:51 AM CST

Anna traded in her broken down "earth-suit" for her glorious new body at 1:25am. After listening to the song "Fly To Jesus," we told her to fly to Him and she did--in my arms with her daddy holding us close. We ushered her into her heavenly Father's arms. She must feel so free now. Her hurt is gone, ours remains. We will miss her so.

Anna...

Saturday, November 24, 2007 1:10 PM CST

"Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble...or (are) threatened with death?...No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't...Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow....can't keep God's love away." (Romans 8:35,37,38)

"For we are not our own masters when we live or when we die. While we live, we live to please the Lord. And when we die, we go to be with the Lord. So in life and death, we belong to the Lord." (Romans 14:7-8)

Anna has been mostly unconscious since yesterday afternoon. Her body seems to finally be shutting down. We have reached a milestone of sorts. She has been sick for 2 years and 9 months and she was 2 years and 9 months old when she was diagnosed.

We covet your prayers as we walk through these waters.

A Sonic run...

Well readers,
I would post but my niece Sahara just came asking if we could go to Sonic to get a drink...can't pass that one up.
Later...
Enjoying the little things with the little people in my life,
Heidi

73 degrees...

So, it's November the 17th and I just want to let everyone know that I have been driving around today with my windows rolled down...what a beautiful fall day...in the middle of November!

Anna...

Keep Praying...

This is part of the latest post from Anna's mom:

"Yesterday Anna slept most of the time. I was grieving the loss of her smile, her voice, the way she makes us laugh. She was still here, but those things were missing yesterday. Thank you to friends who came over this weekend who brought joy and laughter to our home."

Visit her website at http://www.caringbridge.org/ok/annajane/

THE JACKET....

Here it is...the jacket I have been waiting for all my life...well maybe just the last month or so. At any rate, I found THE jacket, the soft on the inside, water resistant on the outside, not too fitted, not too loose jacket that keeps me toasty warm.
My search began when I decided to move to the chilly northwest...and now that the weather has cooled here in the south down to a freezing (53 degrees today) really terribly cold temperatures...my knees and back have started aching every time I even think about walking outdoors so I decided today would be the day. I walked in and out of many stores before I broke down and proceeded to check out the isles of overpriced Gander Mountain that has recently moved in to Jackson. Before I knew it I had on this wonderful jacket, it made me warm, it felt just right, I didn't want to take it off...but I had to, you know to pay for it like a grown adult. Being the investor that I am, I had thought about this purchase in advance and had given myself a good one hundred dollars to spend on THE PERFECT JACKET...given that I found it. And ladies and gentlemen...I did it. I held to my budget...I just had to add that in to make myself feel better:) So, here is a picture of the jacket...although it isn't THE jacket as mine is brown on the outside and purple on the inside but of course there is no picture that exactly matches online for me to copy and paste for you all to see...sooo you will just have to see the real thing in person. But for now, a taste... THE Sheer Bliss II Jacket (in Bark not white, imagine it!)

Kids love...

I am spending a couple of days in Paducah visiting a friend and her two small boys. Tonight, Jack (the oldest who will be four next month) said to me...

"you are NOT leaving tomorrow, you live here!" Kids sure do have a way of making me feel loved.

Here is what Jack was like when we first because friends...

My teeth...

In case anyone was wondering about my dental status. I lived through the experience at the dentist's office...yes it was terrible. I can't seem to convince them that MY MOUTH WON'T OPEN ANY WIDER!!! Anyhow, in the end my teeth are in great shape...no cavities, nice gums all that...BUT I grind my teeth. They gave me some name for it that I promptly forgot and in the end I had to make impressions of my teeth. Now I have a handy little night guard that I wear and it protects my teeth...or rather my ligaments...from getting irritated from my night grinding. Evidently it wasn't actually my teeth that were hurting, it was my ligaments. Good times...and I am not going back to that office...well probably ever again.
Till next time...

Just two more...

With Sahara...sweet friends

Adoption Announcement!!!

Today my family welcomed a new member into the crew! Introducing Princess Jasmine (Jasmine)....

It is hard to tell how small she is from this picture in the grass...but she is really tiny.

Here are some more pictures of her first afternoon with the girls...























Kisses for Tirza...

My tooth hurts...

Alright folks, this is it. I finally broke down today and called the dentist. After months of avoiding ice and ANYTHING sticky...like, and this is the worst part, caramel. That is one of my favorite things to eat friends and to have to avoid it for such an extended period of time has started to take its toll on me. Soooo...I have an appointment for Tuesday at 8:00. I scheduled it for the earliest time of the day so that I will be able to spend the least amount of time at the dentist as possible...I HATE going to the dentist. More to come...

Ma ma ma ma Mazda!!!

So the other day I made a real big grown up decision...well, a decision anyway. I have been looking into trading my old car in for a while now but had yet to find a place that would take anything reasonable for it. Something about a blue book and old cars loose their value...those car salesmen don't know what they are talking about! Anyhow, I finally ran across a friendly young man who treated me like a person (as opposed to a woman in a car lot) who wanted to help..and I am sure make a sale but let's focus on the good people! I looked into some of his vehicles and then before I test drove anything talked cash...he was a little confused as to why I wanted ALL the money info BEFORE I even test drove any cars but he humoured me and pulled up all the figures on FOUR different vehicles that I was sort of interested in. After that, I was down to two...so I drove those. One of them was a jeep and was no fun to drive, and the other one was my Mazda Tribute. Let me say for the record, I have never been one to go for an SUV but I am thinking about a trip across the country soon, and well in the end, the thing will sell easier when I am ready to get rid of it.
In the end I got way more for my Chevy Prizm than it is worth...how that happened I have no idea. And thanks to Mom and Dad I used ALL of what came from Mr. Prizm to pay for down payments and another huge chunk off the price of MR. Tribute. I drove away with a much lighter pocket and a much bigger car. (For those of you who are finding out about my newest big purchase here on my blog...so sorry, I have been busy making the bucks so I can make my payments!!!!) ( p.s. mom and dad, my insurance DOES cover me even when I am in Canada...shout out for Nationwide!)

Check out the inside...

My parents are amazing...

Just in case any one thought I didn't have the genes to be awesome...here is how cool my parents are. These are pictures from their blog (yes their blog, I am not sure if he has had a chance to put them on HIS MYSPACE page), from their last trip . That is my mom on the zip line... P.S. if anyone can tell me how to get rid of this underlining I would appreciate it!

Some things are tough...

Gary Thomas in his book, "Sacred Marriage"
"Because we have hope for eternity, we do not become nearsighted demanding short-term ease that would short-circuit long-term gain. Our demands for comfort and ease show us what we truly value. It is the definitive demonstration of whether we are living for God's kingdom and service or for our own comfort and reputation."

Hmmm...I've been thinking. When it comes down to it, life is really hard. It makes me tired. It makes me sad. I have a number of friends that are going through divorces, are split up, and some who are dealing with the consequences of nasty divorces from their past. It is discouraging. Something that God set up for us as Christians to display in a right manner is being destroyed by 'Christians' every day. The picture of marriage is set up as an example to show us (and to display to unbelievers) how Christ loves His Church. How will the world ever look at Christians and see that we are different if we won't live our lives differently then they do?!?!
Marriage and divorce is just one example of the many ways that Christians have a chance to show the world that we can be different and are called to be different...but yet we are failing miserably at. How will I deal when I am faced with suffering? Will I react in anger and selfishness? Or will I turn to God and let Him provide me with His peace and perserverance?

This all started because of my thoughts on how things can be hard. Really, when I get to thinking about it. I can always find something that is hard, something that makes me sad, something that I could cry myself to sleep over. But that is because I am living on this earth, that is full of sin...this is the closest I will ever be to experiencing Hell. I guess what I am trying to say is just to follow up on my last post. I am SO SO SO blessed. I sat on the back porch of a dear friend this evening, listening to stories from her life, hearing her pray, watching her shed tears for pain that wasn't even her pain to bear; then hearing her say to me, "It doesn't matter what happens in your life Heidi, just stay focused on Jesus, just keep your focus on Him." She wasn't promising me that I am going to have an easy road for the rest of my life...she was telling me to keep my focus on Christ despite all the other stuff that will try to get in the way.

So I end with this. I am even more blessed today then I was yesterday. How privilaged I am to have a godly woman sit next to me and push me closer to Christ. For the rest of my life, when things get hard and the world's sadness presses in...I only hope that her words(as well as so many other's) will come back to me and encourage me enough to get through another hard day. To remind me of how gracious God has been in givng me so much in my life. So much good that I could have never dreamed up or imagined.

Heaps of blessing on you all...

How privileged...

I have been thinking recently on how privileged I am. My first thought actually used the word 'lucky' but being that I don't believe in luck I needed to change it to privileged. The thing is, there are SO many things in my life that are more wonderful than I have words to express. My family is amazing, loving, full of little people that are full of energy and sweetness! I have the best family ever...having said that I realize that my family just so happens to be the best family for me...maybe not for everyone but I love them just the same. My parents are incredible, they have given their lives to missions and I, in return, have already had the chance to experience a unique and full life. Not to mention they are generous and loving and godly and fun and so cool and well I will move on as I risk becoming ridiculous. My sisters are spread all around the world right now but for Christmas this year MY ENTIRE family will be together. I think I speak for the whole family when I say, we are SO SO SO excited! Family time is fun time. We play games, we make fun of each other, we remember funny things about when we were together last...we just have a really good time. The kind of good time that you can't have with anybody but your siblings and parents and nieces and nephews.
I could go on and on because I am also blessed with an amazing church family and great friends all around me...but for now I will sign off. I hope all you (I am sure millions) readers can take from this post something great...appreciate your family, spend time with them when you can...MAKE time for them. And as the great James Taylor sang...Shower the People you love with love!

I need to go to Japan...

Another fun conversation with the kids...

Nikki informed me today that she needed to take a trip to Japan. I asked her why and she went on to explain that she could get pearls there...real ones, from the water. I said that going to Japan for some pearls was a great idea but to keep in mind that she could get pearls from other places too. For example, I have pearls that my parents got me when they visited my sister in India. In fact, I said, if you want I could get them to bring back some pearls when they come to visit and that could be your Christmas present from me. She said that is a wonderful idea and thanks for saving me a trip to Japan!
I asked Taylor if he wanted anything from India, he said no. I asked him, was he sure? He said, well, an arrow head would be nice. (Umm...hello!?!?) So embarking into a lesson on the difference between the American Indians and Indian people who are actually in India was a fun and thought provoking conversation for all of us.

So what you're saying is...

This is a conversation I had with Nikki and Taylor today...

Taylor: Eli walked by me at school today and flicked me.
Me: What did you do?
Taylor: Nothing, I don't know!
Nikki: Eli and Taylor had a fight yesterday.
Me: Oh? What was it about?
Nikki: Alex (Eli's older brother) made Taylor mad by riding his bike then throwing it on the ground. So Taylor called him a name, then Eli called Taylor a name and they pushed each other. I don't think they are really friends any more.
Taylor: I don't see why Eli got so mad at me. I didn't say anything mean to him!
Me: Well, brothers stick up for their brothers usually over their friends.
Nikki: Ya, Taylor. If my friend was mean to you I would take your side.
Taylor: So what you're saying is, deep deep deep down I really love Nikki even though I tell her I hate her a lot?
Me and Nikki: Yep.

Anna is home...

Anna is home from another long stay at the hospital...please please please keep praying!

Saturday, September 8, 2007 5:39 PM CDT

Last night was terrible. Anna was moaning and gagging off and on all night so none of us got any sleep. This morning I pulled the NG tube myself since it seemed to be the source of her agony. (The home health nurse was going to come and do it, but Anna chose me instead. She has more faith in me than I do in myself.) She has been a lot more talkative today and has stopped throwing up. She is trying to eat, but so far it's not much. Her eyes are bigger than her stomach so she asks for everything (mexican stack, pizza, macaroni and cheese, wheat thins, cheez whiz, chocolate covered cherries, carrots and ranch dressing.......just to name a few we've heard today). Pray that she will be able to eat and we won't have to consider replacing the tube. Pray that she will not get dehydrated. Pray that she will be able to sleep tonight.
Love,
Marlo

Hat tips...

So, I was perusing some blogs that I often visit this morning when I came across a video posted by a friend that I had actually sent that very video to. But in her explanation before the video starts she says... "I ran across this video on YouTube..." It is funny because, I am glad she liked the video enough to use it...I am glad she posted the video...I am wondering why she skipped mentioning me.
Isn't that interesting! All my life I have groaned and avoid at any costs chapel services that are labled, "Awards Chapel" or any event concerning grown professionals dressing up like clowns and marching through the isles of the sancuary with the organ blairing some prestigious song for all to hear. I never have cared that some people enjoy staying at the same job they don't enjoy for 10, 15 or 25 years. I never wished I was the one standing on the stage recieving the piece of paper that says something I already know. I always wondered what in the world do those people do with those papers? Do they really save them? Because I just think that is dumb. Ok so before I digress any farther...my point.
I never thought recognition was all that important. I don't expect to be recognized for the things I do. That isn't why I do them. But maybe deep down I do...hmmm

More on Anna...

Anna's Dad updated this afternoon...


Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:58 PM CDT

Friends and Family,We finished the scope this morning and are awaiting the results of the tests they will run on the specimens. We will begin to get a better picture of what is going on over the next 24-72 hours. Anna isn't in any pain right now but breathing is very difficult. They are starting some medications this afternoon. We hope and pray that these medications will have their intended effect.
Ps. 41 says that: "The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness." That's our prayer for Anna today - that the Lord would sustain her and restore her, yet again, from this bed of illness.
Thanks for praying.

Waiting for that miracle,
Richard

I haven't posted an update on Anna in a while. Keep praying.

Here is her mom's latest post (as of 08/24/07):

Yesterday was hard and scary. But God was faithful and sent people to be with me off and on throughout the day so I wouldn't feel alone. Anna's temp got up to 103, but this morning she feels cool. (She's still asleep.) I had my bag packed for the hospital last night, but her counts came back above 500 and the doctor told us that we were doing all we could for her at home--so we stayed. Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for Shelley, Kay, Arlene, and Jennifer who came to visit. Thank you for Big Sky bread which is all Anna has eaten in 24 hours (including a piece at 3am). Thank you for my wonderful husband who holds me together when I am falling apart. Thank you for the doctor who didn't make us go to the hospital. Thank you for the home health nurse who came to draw the labs. Thank you for the chance to walk by the lake this morning. Thank you that my kids love school. Thank you for Sittie and Pop babysitting tonight. Wow! Once I get started being thankful it's hard to stop! Lord, give me a grateful heart today and cast out this spirit of fear that does NOT come from you. Amen,Marlo

My life is lacking tragedy...I hope I can be as thankful as this mom who has a dying child.

I affect people...

Lately I have been having to make some really hard decisions. Thinking about a possible move, that means a new living situation, a new job...new everything. This is something that I have always kind of enjoyed. Moving is fun for me. All the 'newness' of it. But at this point in my life, moving is not only a huge hassle-it is affecting a whole lot of people. I have found it particularly unsettling this time around maybe because I actually care but also I think that it just is affecting more people then any of my various moves have before. I am starting to ramble so I will get to my point.
The things I do affect people. The things you do affect people...probably more than we realize. It has become more and more apparent to me how actions I take and words that I say become important moments in other peoples' lives. In fear of boasting, I will leave out the amazing life altering words I have spoken to the multitudes but I will share this. I have made it a habit of having my devotional time at a coffee shop here in town. It is just noisy enough but not too loud, so it is just right for thinking. And the occasional person saying random things when they come in is fun too...and sometimes thought provoking....woh rambling again. Anyhow, the other day I was asking Nikki if she had been spending any time reading the Bible. She looked at me funny, shrugged and walked into the other room. I thought about letting it go but then decided to pursue. I followed her and asked her what the shrug meant (although I was a teen just recently I have already forgotten the language). She said, 'why are you always asking me if I have been reading my Bible? You never read it." OUCH! I realized that I haven't been setting a good example and that, although my time 'alone' in the word is good and I am not giving that up...I need to be reading the Bible with an audience too.

I am just sharing to make my point... what we do, or I guess in this case, sometimes what we don't do, effects people.

Psalm 23

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9e7c4b40cf5a13cea6ca

Kids are funny...

Being around kids makes me laugh sometimes, so I try to stick around them as much as possible. Here are a couple of new kid quotes that made me laugh:

The other day I was sitting with my niece Sahara, she asked me, "How come we can feel the wind but can't see it?" That was a fun conversation.

Today Jack had been jumping off the chair and landed wrong on his foot...and it hurt really bad. It was all he could think about for a time. A little while later we all got in the car to go out and he was still looking miserable. We started out of the driveway and he said in the saddest voice ever, "I just don't know what I will do without my foot!"

This afternoon I had Taylor clean up his room so I could vacuum. After I was done in his room and was headed for the hall he stopped me. I turned off the vacuum so I could hear him and he asked me, "Why do you always want us to clean up? Is it because you are afraid you will stub your toe on my toys?" (This has happened before)

One of my other nieces, Bria said this out of nowhere while we were reading books the other day, "If you are bad, God knows it and if you stay bad, you go to hell. You have to have a new heart to go to Heaven." ...Maybe she doesn't know that I am saved????

Hope you enjoyed these as much as I did! Hopefully, more to come!!!

Lucy...

I have a bird. A beautiful blue parakeet named Lucy. I have had her for about a month now and she hates me. I have done everything right. I went to all the Internet sites I could find about how to hand train a young parakeet. I have followed all the rules to gain her trust...yet when I hold my finger out for her to stand on, she tips her body back and glares at me. When I leave the room or sit where she cannot see me (especially REALLY early in the morning) she will sing and sing. If she can see me, she is silent. The bird refuses to be my friend.
This is another unfortunate thing. She lives on my desk, a place I thought would be perfect because not only does she have access to the window, she is also right next to me anytime I am at my desk. (an important thing for a parakeet, the experts say, is to have contact with their owner as much as possible) Well, the problem is that when I sit at my desk I often am reading or writing or doing something that requires paper. This all would be fine but Lucy for some reason has an aversion to paper. It is fine if it is just sitting there on the desk but on occasion I like to turn a page...and she flips out. I mean completely looses control. She flies around her cage like a maniac, splashing her water, spilling her seeds...she gets all out of breath. It is ridiculous.
The thing that is fun about her is that in the mornings she won't let me sleep past sunrise...not sure if 'fun' is the right word here but it is nice to have a friendly sound waking me up instead of my alarm clock. Also, she has made friends with the birds that are free to fly about her window. They will call back and forth to each other...it is really sweet. Well, I guess it is sweet I don't actually know what they are saying.
Well, this is the end of another almost entirely pointless post. This is about as exciting as my life gets!

A prayer...

Sometimes at the end of the day I am not sure what to pray. When no words come I often just sit quietly and then read scripture but other times I use the scripture to form my prayers. Here is a prayer I turn to often when I feel at a loss of how to pray for the kids:

(Taken from Proverbs 4: 20-27)

I pray that Nikki and Taylor will listen closely to the words of our God. That they will treasure His word in such a way that they will not let it out of their sight and will keep His words in their hearts for they (His words) are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. I pray that above all else, they will guard their hearts- the wellspring of life. I pray that perversity and corrupt talk will be far from their lips. That their eyes will look straight ahead with their gazes fixed directly before them. I pray that God will make level paths for their feet and that He will grant them wisdom to take only ways that are firm. And I pray that both of them will walk in steady faith; not swerving to the right or the left; that God will graciously keep their feet from evil.

The zoo, a stray cat, and a Bible lesson...

Well, yesterday we spent the day at the zoo. By 'we' I mean, me, Nikki, Taylor, Hannah, Sahara, Bria, Tirza, and Mark's mom and dad. The trip ended with a nice big rain storm so we all got to ride home dripping wet...it really wasn't too bad since it was SO hot before it started raining. On the way home Nikki and Taylor and I stopped to walk around the Wolfchase mall. This is always entertaining, we rode the Carousel, had dinner, visit Build'aBear, had a cinnamon and sugar pretzel and enjoyed dessert before we headed out.
When we got home the kids spotted the stray cat that they found a few days ago...we hadn't brought it home but they secretly been taking care of it for a day or so before they clued me in on what was up. So...we let the cat sleep in the garage with some strict guidelines:
In this house
1. you will not be given a name
2. you will not act cute and cuddly
3. you will be loud and annoying
4. you will make us NOT want a cat
Well, the cat broke all the rules. She has been very sweet and cute, loves attention but isn't all up in our faces. And the kids started calling her Ebony...every time they say it I say...THAT'S NOT HER NAME, WE ARE NOT NAMING HER!!!! But there is only so much I can do. Today we thought we found the cat's home but alas it was not the owner and sadly, they didn't want another cat. So soon we will be taking a trip to the human society to deposit the furry bundle of joy...I am sure another 'sad day' post is coming up soon.
And to close, a funny story. I had found a 'kids eat free' coupon for Gunther Tooties so we were eating there for dinner the other day. While we were there Taylor decided it was the time to bring up the fact that Nikki owed him $1.50. She was distracted with a game on the other side of the room so I thought it a great opportunity for a lesson. I asked him if he knew what the Bible said to do when someone owed you money. He said no. So I went on to explain that when someone owes us money we are to be patient in waiting for them to pay us back and not press them to return what they owe. And that in fact we should let it go and not expect them to pay us back. He seemed to be listening but when Nikki came back to the table he quickly reminded her that she owed him his $1.50 and informed her that he expected the money pronto. At that point Nikki opened her purse and pulled out two receipts from when she had bought Taylor Icies at Target. The total of what she had paid for him came to about $3.50. She ever so sweetly replied that he in fact owed her two dollars that she wasn't going to ask him to pay but since he had brought it up...he aught to pay up. Taylor looked at me, shrugged his shoulders and said..."You're Bible is right. I shouldn't have said anything!"

Some fun days...

Well, since the last post things have been looking up. We all had fun on Sunday after church shopping with gift cards at Target and Wal-Mart. Taylor found some great new toys to go with some of what he got for his birthday so he kept busy for the rest of the day putting everything together and showing his friend. Other than hanging out at the pool or playing outside in the springker- I have been deep cleaning the house...the kids keep coming to me for something to do and I have plenty of jobs to hand them...they aren't asking me as much anymore. :) We have been having fun playing board and card games...I LOVE playing games so it has been nice that they are enjoying them too. Last night we all fell asleep in the living room on the air ma tress...and of course woke up on the hard floor. Do they make air ma tresses that actually stay filled up all night long??? Anyhow...life is not all that exciting right now but we are having a fun summer vacation!

Funny story: Tonight for dinner we were eating at Moe's (kids eat free on Monday nights) and Taylor had an important announcement..."when I grow up and am 43...I am NOT going to be a dad! I am just going to drive a lamberguenie!"
I have no idea where that came from.

A sad night...

Tonight is a sad night in our house. Mom (aka Sandy) left about an hour ago for her vacation, she will be back late Sunday night...not this Sunday night, NEXT Sunday night. This is a big deal for everyone in the house because she is going out of the country. For me it is just a little unnerving to have the mom of the children I am looking after outside of the continent. For Nikki, she is a little sad about not being able to talk to her mom the whole time she is gone. For Taylor...well he is doing ok for the moment. We celebrated his birthday early today since Sandy will be gone on his actual birthday (Sunday). He is busy being excited about all his new toys and being eight (sort of).
It was hard watching her drive away tonight because as she did Nikki sat on the floor and the tears started falling. I mean really falling. She was quiet and still but there was an actual puddle on the floor in front of her when I sat down next to her. As I held her there on the floor I got choked up thinking back to so many times in my life watching my parents drive away not knowing when I would be able to talk to them again. There is just something about hearing my mom and dad's voices that brings me comfort even to this day. So needless to say Nikki had an understanding shoulder to cry on tonight.
More updates to come...

Just for fun...

Some fun bumper stickers:

Dyslexics are teople poo.

So many cats, so few recipes.

I have a degree in Liberal Arts - do you want fries with that?

A day without sunshine is like night.

What if the hokey pokey is really what it's all about?

Still looking for the perfect one for my car...

waiting impatiently...

I wonder what it is like to wait patiently. I wouldn't know because I've never done it. Life is too short for waisting time, even a moment of it. I will my death to come quickly in fear that, through time, I will weaken to the pull of this culture. To the idea that life is just work and money and bills with family and values and love on the side. In the deepest part of my soul I know that this life is to be about the things that matter- not just to my culture but to God and to myself. I never finished college, I don't make 'enough' money to pay everything I owe, although I could. I could have finished college, I could work a great paying job but I don't. I choose not to. Some people think me foolish, some think I'll figure it out eventually but I know- this is just me. God made me different for some reason. He made me value my time here on earth as something to be relished and not waisted. With this short time I have here I am determined to embrace my family, to absorb and expell love, and most important of all, gather, sort out and become all I can of God. So as I look toward my future, I wonder what is in store for tomorrow. I'm not making any plans because God tells me He has those set out already. I do however wait eagerly for His plans to unfold before me - for they must be great. There must be a purpose for my life because I am still here. As for tonight, I pray as always my selfish yet heartfelt prayer - bring to me quickly Lord the desires of my heart or Lord I plead with you again change them to line up with your good and perfect will.

Umm...and update

So I realized that I haven't updated my blog since June 20th. Being that it is July 13 and new post is a bit overdue to say the least. It is just that my life is less than exciting right now. I don't have much going on to write about! I just came back from Pizza night at the Denker's house. Which, like always, was a lot fun with my friends from church. Really anytime there is pizza involved in a get-together it is going to be great...that is my opinion anyway. Pizza or sloppy joes, it's a toss up. Anyhow, being that pizza for dinner was the highlight of my week only proves just how monotonous and boring life gets here in Jackson, TN! I am sure that if I moved anywhere it would get to be just as monotonous after six years but at least in most places there is a beach or a mountain or for goodness sakes a water slide in driving distance. But not here... nope, just the Rockabilly hall of fame...which by the way is SO not worth your time, the new Starbucks downtown and lets see what else... oh Red Robin. Yep that's right another hamburger joint, American's are so original! (note the sarcasm) One thing I never fear while living here is a shortage of banks, sonics or constantly widening roads. Who would have thought that they would widen the bypass...what is that about? Ok well enough of my rambling, thanks for reading if you have made it all the way to the end of this post!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!

Mom and Dad at their wedding...June 20th 1975!!!!!

The Family....

Our latest family picture...

My new business...

Here is my new adventure. We'll see if it takes of in Jackson...if it looks like it will be a success: goodbye 9-5:30 job! Check it out!

We Go Shop! So you don't have to!

My three nieces...

For anyone who hasn't met my nieces, go to my sister's blog and be introduced. :)

Glad...

Just because everyone else is doing it...

I'm glad because...

1. I can listen to my music on my new MP3 player...yeah! Thanks Mom and Dad!
2. I got to bed at 9:30 last night and slept until 8:15...that's lots of sleep!
3. I have a job with benefits...starting in June!
4. I have friends who know that the world isn't just Jackson, TN
5. I have a family that manages to stay in touch despite the miles
6. I have kids that I can buy swing sets for, and don't have to take them home at the end of the day(well not all of them at least)
7. I am part of a church that gets together during the week just because it's fun
8. I have a car that works...
9. I got a new Real Simple this week in the mail and still haven't finished reading through it...the best magazine ever!
10. I have really good excuses to visit Canada, India, the Middle East and soon Europe amongst many other places!

Candid Camera???

Sometimes my life feels like a sitcom. A good one though. Maybe sitcom is the wrong word but I am lacking a better one. I often turn around and wonder where the camera is because it feels like this must be made for television.
Last weekend was Relay for Life here in Jackson, I went with a friend and as we where walking the track we happened to be right in front of the stage at the exact moment that the celebration relay began for all the smokers now non-smokers. You know, they hold the banner and all walk behind it...yah, we didn't notice until everyone was cheering and clapping seemingly for us until we turned around and found the banner two inches behind us. At which point we leaped off the track and laughed, hard. This is the same night we rode the big machinery that you get in a bucket and a man makes the controllers go so that you make a big circle in the sky and stop at the top long enough to get a little scared but not quite long enough to see everything as far as you can see...no it wasn't a ferris wheel, this is the south...it was the JEA utility bucket.
The other night my friend and I were driving home from watching our weekly chick show with some other friends when we look up into the sky and see nothing but a bona fide UFO. We freeked..."LOOK!! LOOK!!! IT"S A UFO, OH MY GOODNESS WE NEED TO TAKE A PICTURE BECAUSE NO ONE WILL BELIEVE US IF WE DON'T, oh wait, it's an airplane.(laughter ensues)" We get excited about the little things.
Last night I went to Memphis for the evening with four other friends, it was a crazy night of laughing, trying on dresses, convincing each other that yes they look great in that dress, and all kinds of crazy stories that make each other laugh until tears run down every face. In the conversation about where we were going to eat, we all concluded that we were starving and had to go somewhere that gave us bread at the beginning...at which point Janie googles the restaurant over her phone and calls Bol a Pasta to ask if they serve bread...maybe you had to be there but it was crazy funny at the time.
Today a friend of mine was going to a graduation with a friend, she didn't want to go but she was going to go with her friend for moral support. She told me this but in much fewer words with much fewer details and I offered to go with her...for moral support because I understood that she felt like she needed to go to the graduation but really didn't want to . At which point she made it clear that she would be glad to go with me... in the end neither of us ended up going as we finally realized that we where both just trying to be nice to the other and neither of us really wanted to go in the first place....thanks text messaging! (this conversation lasted 5 hours)
I drove up to my driveway today and next door a wedding was going on, outside, like a really important part, cause it was quiet and everyone was looking at the bride and groom...well until I drove up and this is where it gets rediculous...what you all need to know is my car is loud. Really noisy. Like the muffler is full of holes. So now I am a sound fixture in my neighbors daughter's wedding videos. (or son I don't really know)
I guess I just realize how silly life can be. How it's great that I can laugh at all these crazy things that happen to me and with my friends! These are just moments in this insane experience I am part of, this life that I live.

p.s. Does anyone have an idea of why my post doesn't have the option of leaving a comment???

Anna

Pray for Anna...

Anna's Mom wrote this in part of her last update...

"There is no more talk of "cure". Now we talk about "quality of life". I started thinking about that. You know Anna isn't the only one whose condition is "terminal". Aren't we all dying? Some of us have more time left than others, but everyone's time is limited. Shouldn't we all be concerned with the "quality" of our lives?"

http://www.caringbridge.org/ok/annajane/

What's the difference...

I have been thinking a lot lately about the differences between Catholics and Christians. Some say the two are similar in many ways, some disagree. Depending on what individuals have been taught on either side, both labels can produce some misunderstanding and prejudice. I found this chart that summarizes well most of what I have found in comparing the two. It is interesting to see the differences and similarities and to think about why we have been taught that there is such a great difference in what we believe. When it comes down to it, it seems that we both believe that Christ die on the cross for our sins, defeated death and rose again. The very basics of the gospel and what I base my faith on...all the rest, just gravy or salvitic issues? Let me know what you think on this.

(sorry the chart is so small, click on it to make it bigger if you need to)

Jesus Painting

Turn up your speakers and watch it to the end...

Wack-a-mole

This is such a great game...

A family outing

Ok Mom sent me the pictures from Lamberts so here are some of them!
Above is us on our way to Sikeston...our two hour drive for dinner...it was well worth it though!!!

To the left is Mom and Bria...

Here is one of the HUGE portions....

This is Sahara and I...

Tirza having some sweet tea...

Me, Sahara and Mark...

Hannah and Bria...

Lamberts is great!!!!!!!

p.s. Glenna...sorry I didn't let you know I was coming into town, we weren't sure we were going until that day and as you can see...we travel in packs...